{"data":{"id":"us-ms/miss.-code-ann.-49-4-39","jurisdiction":"us-ms","citation":"Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-39","heading":"Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-39","body":"(1) As used in this section:\n\n(a) “ Boat ” means a vessel used by a guide or outfitter for taking paying customers on recreational freshwater fishing excursions.\n\n(b) “ Guide ” means a person who advises or shows the way to others on a boat.\n\n(c) “ Outfitter ” means an establishment that sells freshwater fishing services.\n\n(d) “ Captain ” or “ skipper ” means a person who is at the helm, controls or steering of a boat.\n\n(e) “ Boat mate ” and “ crew ” mean one or more employees assisting the guide, outfitter, captain or skipper on a boat.\n\n(2) The commission may regulate hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing, guide and outfitter services. The commission shall have the following powers and duties:\n\n(a) Prescribe the form and type of licenses;\n\n(b) Prescribe an annual distinguishable decal for each boat;\n\n(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, establish fees for the types of licenses; the fee for guide and outfitter services annual licenses shall not be less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for residents and shall not be less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for nonresidents;\n\n(d) Require one-year proof of residency and a valid sportsman's license for residents;\n\n(e) Require a valid nonresident fishing license for nonresidents;\n\n(f) Require First Aid/CPR certification; and\n\n(g) Exercise all powers to make regulations for enforcement and safety of such services.\n\n(3) A fishing guide, outfitter, skipper or captain that uses a boat to provide fishing guide services shall obtain an annual boat license and decal for a fee of at least Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00). In order to obtain a boat license and decal, an applicant must register the boat being used with the department and provide to the department a copy of the driver's license of the guide, outfitter, skipper or captain and proof of liability insurance and such other information as the department may require by regulation.\n\n(4) A violation of this section or any regulation created by the commission exercising its powers to regulate safety and services is a Class II violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143 .","path":["MS Code","Title 49"],"source_url":"https://legislature.ms.gov/","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:17Z","sha256":"8b5321c6673f4bf1896a1cc62fad3486c8bb421523c3b12418adc232db23c0cd","source_id":"us-ms","stale":false,"prev":"us-ms/miss.-code-ann.-49-4-37","next":"us-ms/miss.-code-ann.-49-4-4"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}